Friday, November 16, 2012

PAT 1119/1 English Form 4 2012


Section A : Directed Writing
[ 35 marks ]


During the holidays, you went camping in the jungle with some of your friends. All of you had an enjoyable time there. Write a description of your camping adventure. Elaborate on the notes below and include other relevant details.



       (a)    First day
       Camp site – river – jungle – set up our tents – meal – chatted – tired – sleep
       (b)   Second day
       Morning – packed some food – trek – identify animal footprints – plants – picnic – waterfall – bathed –    
       returned to our camp
      (c)    Third day
      Climbed some nearby hills – cave – found bats – unusual insects – that night – made a camp fire – sang
      songs – enjoyable time
      (d)   Fourth day
      Packed – hiked back – memorable


 













When writing your composition, remember:
-          To use all the notes given
-          Marked your paragraphs with names of days







ANSWER:

Section A – Directed Writing

            It was second week of school term. After a few discussions with my good friends, Amin, Zamir, Keong and Prasit, we decided to go for a camping at Lata Lembu, near Lata Mengkuang waterfalls. We can still remember the most peaceful surroundings the last time we were there. So, we went there on 19th November, Saturday. It was a sunny day. We went by our own vehicles, motorcycles.

            On the first day – Sunday, we hiked up ahead in the jungle to look for a suitable campsite, but close to the river. The site was in the middle of the jungle; there we decided to set up our tents. Zamir and Keong were good at survival cooking, so we let them cooked our meal. After had one, we chatted among ourselves until we felt so tired and not long after that, we went to sleep. It was my first watch with Amin, we must stay awake as long as we could to make sure no harm can come closer to our campsite. We drank coffee to stay awake. The night was too cold as we were surrounded with trees and the river was just next to our campsite, we could hear the water flowing and crickets were singing happily. But that night was a dark as our coffee.

            On second day – Monday, that morning Prasit woke me and Amin up as the time shown was already 6.30 a.m. I hurriedly woke Zamir and we performed our Subuh prayer together. While it was too early for us to have our bath, so we decided to packed some foods for jungle trekking first. Keong was good at identifying animal footprints as he learned it from his dad; he showed us some from deer’s, tiger’s, and wild boars too. There were lots of herbal plants grew freely along the path. The most usual plant was mengkuang plants as it grows everywhere. When we reached the waterfall, we stopped there for picnic. We ate our food, bathed joyfully, and after we had enough, we returned to our camp. It was 6.45 p.m. when we reached there. This time it was Zamir and Prasit turn to watch us over. We could see moonlights shining through the trees that night.

            Third day – Tuesday, it was cloudy that morning, so we waited until noon so we can climbed some nearby hills. We packed our lunch and continued our plan. We found a cave, and it was full with bats. Amin forbid us to switch on our torch lights as it might scares of the shy creatures. After resting in the cave, we head back down the hill. I found several unusual insects – some of it looked like flies, a giant ant and things that I could not explain. They also smell awful. That last night, we made a campfire near our tents. Our ‘famous artist’ Zamir sang a few songs accompanied by his acoustic guitar followed by us. It was among the most enjoyable time we ever felt. That night, Keong and I volunteered to watch the campsite. Strangely, that night, I can hear the owls never stop making its spooky sounds and it gave me the nerves to shut my eyes.

            Fourth day – Wednesday, Amin woke me up as Keong already started to packed things up. He did not wake me up earlier as he knew that I could not sleep last night during our last watch. At 9.30 a.m., we hiked back and returned safely to our home. It was memorable to all of us, and surely it won’t be the last time. We decided to go somewhere more adventure than this time!
           
           
            

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Learning About Informal Letter...the easier way (Intermediate & Lower Level Students)







Question: You were in town one day when you witnessed an incident where a stranger went to help an old lady. Write a letter to your friend, describing the incident and praising the action of the stranger.


15, Lorong 1,
Taman Seri Enggang,
08200 Sik,
Kedah

7 July 2009

1. _____ Mael Lambong,

2. ____ are you? My family and I are in 3. ______ _______. Something happened while I was 4. ________ and I would like to tell you about it.

           5. _____ _________, as I was walking along Jalan Petri, I witnessed a heart-warming incident. There was a great 6. ______ and 7. _______ were busy shopping in 
8. ________ for the coming Hari Raya season. I, myself, was carrying 9. ________ bags of things as I walked.

          10. ______ _______, I saw this rather 11. ______ old woman 12. ________ to cross the road. The cars were 13. __________ and nobody seemed willing to 14. _____ her. I was, 15. _________, on the other side of the road. The old lady, in one of her attempts, 16. _________ and fell. The things in her bag 17. _______ onto the road.
         
           Passers-by, however, 18. ________ on their way, 19. _________ as if nothing had 20. ________. I was going to 21. ______ the road when I saw a young 22. ____ going to the old lady's 23. ____. He 24. _______ her up and 25. __________ her things. Then, he helped the lady to cross the road by 26. _______ stopping the 27. _______. He 
28. _______ was a 29. _________ young man.

          I watched him as he talked to her. His 30. __________ seemed to reassure the old 31. ______ who had been quite flustered. She thanked him 32. ___________ as he got her a taxi. The young man then 33. __________ into the crowd. I was 34. _______ _______ by what I saw.

          I do not know who the young man was or his name but what he did was certainly 
35. ___________. Sometimes it does not take much to make someone's day.

         So, what have you been doing since I last 36. _______ from you? Do tell me 37. _____ all that has been 38. __________ in your life lately.

        Please give my 39. _______ to your family. 40. ______ ______ of yourself.
        
        Bye.

Yours sincerely,
    Syamir   




Choice of answers:

helped | people | pretending | trying | Dear | help | deeply touched | How | frail | crowd | good health | shopping | preparation | several | speeding | Just then | unfortunately | scattered | disappeared | helped | cross | man | aid | practically | certainly | traffic | lady | kindness | determined | gratefully | happening | commendable | about | Take care | heard | continued | happened | regards | tripped | Last Saturday |






Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Descriptive Essay: Langkawi Island







You have just returned from Langkawi. Your teacher has asked you to write an article on Langkawi for your class website. Use the following notes to help you.
·      

  •        Langkawi – The Isles of Legends – consists of a cluster of 99 islands
  •          Captivating beaches – Pantai Cenang, Pantai Buray Bay and Pantai Kok
  •          The waters around the island – a rich world of marine life
  •          Many legends – a village maiden, Mahsuri – wrongly accused of adultery – she cursed that Langkawi would not prosper for seven generations
  •          Kuah town – good facilities for travel
  •          Other places of interest – Telaga Tujuh – a series of waterfalls – ideal for picnickers
  •          Langkawi Book Village – only twelve in the world – 50 000 books
  •          Langkawi Crocodile Farm – 1000 crocodiles
  • Underwater World – in Pantai Cenang – more than 5000 fish and marine creatures, walk through a glass tunnel


MODEL ANSWER

Malaysia owns among the gorgeous islands in the whole world, namely Langkawi, The Isles of Legends, situated in the state of Kedah,which also consists of a cluster of 99 islands. Tourists from local and all over the world came to experience their best moment here. The population there is about 64,792 people.
The island is so popular with its captivating beaches, giving the tourists the best view from Pantai Cenang, Pantai Buray Bay and Pantai Kok. The waters around the island are crystal clear and rich with world of marine life, suits for activities like snorkeling and scuba diving.
Like many legends from other state of the country, Langkawi is famous with its own legend, about a village maiden named Mahsuri, who was wrongly accused for adultery and then it was said that she cursed Langkawi would not prosper for seven generations.
Besides that, Langkawi is also popular with its Kuah town. Many tourists would love to shop there as it gives them almost everything they need and also good facilities for travel, and lots of tourism agencies if we want to go for island-hopping. Other place of interest is like Telaga Tujuh, a series of waterfalls which is an ideal place for picnickers or family picnics.
Among the most interesting places in Langkawi is also a place called Langkawi Book Village.  Only twelve places existed in the world like such this place and there are about 50 000 books we can find there. Most people might find this place interesting, especially for those who loved reptiles. Langkawi Crocodile Farm, which nurtured about 1000 crocodiles. For animal lovers, especially sea creatures, you might find the Underwater World located in Pantai Cenang, the most exquisite where more than 5000 fish and marine creatures lived there, and you may walk through a glass tunnel and watch the sea creatures swimming on top of you freely.
There are lots of fascinating places in this world but as Malaysian, Langkawi with its beauties will never let us down and all we need is just to have a spirit to explore and enjoy God’s creation.




Wednesday, February 29, 2012

QWERTYUIOP By Vivien Alcock

QWERTYUIOP By Vivian Alcock 






Synopsis


QWERTYUIOP  BY VIVIAN ALCOCK
Synopsis
 This story is about a seventeen - year - old girl called Lucy Beck,who had just received a diploma from a secretarial college. With the diploma, she hoped to secure a job as a secretary. Her principal, Mrs Price however did not have much confidence in her because she was small, she looked timid and could only type at a slow speed.
 Lucy too was not very confident in her own self. She feared that she would not get a job. So, getting a job at the first interview she went was really a blessing. On her first day, she was surprised by a spirit of the former secretary, Miss Broome. The spirit communicated with her using the electronic typewriter. At first, she was horrified and frightened. Yet when she thought about the many luxurious things she could buy with her salary as a secretary, she became determine to fight the spirit.
 She discovered from Harry Darke, an old man who worked at the firm that Miss Broome was a lonely woman who dedicated her life to her job as secretary. She was asked to leave by the late Mr Bannister after working for 43 years. She was reluctant as the office was like her home and she had no family. Even in her death, she was adamant to keep her job and frightened off many young girls who wanted to take her job.
 Finally, Lucy was able to persuade the spirit of Miss Broome to leave the job to her. She told her that Mr Bannister had passed away and he desperately needed her to take care of him in the new world. Lucy related to Miss Broome that she was told to leave because Mr Bannister was worried about her health.

Character
Lucy Beck
Young, small, easily overlooked, with one ‘O’ level pass and poor typing skill; shows a determination and willingness to learn and is smart enough to win over Miss Broome. Shows courage and does not run away from problems.
Mrs. Price
The kindly principal of Belmont Secretarial College.
Mrs. Beck
Lucy’s mother; amiable, pleasant-natured woman who would never lose her temper; kind-hearted towards others.
Uncle Bert
Drinks too much; used to fly kites with Lucy when she was small; kind enough to prepare a meal for Lucy when she returns home; feels hurt of her careless treatment of him and is happy when they both reach a level of understanding.
Harry Darke
The all-purpose man who has served 30 years at Ross and Bannister’s; helpful to Lucy and sharp about what is happening around him.
Miss Broome
The late and very loyal secretary of Ross and Bannister’s; had served 43 years with the company and cannot bear to stay away; haunts the typewriter and detests the young girls who try to take her place there. The job was all she had lived for.

Setting
1 Ross and Bannister’s firm
2 Belmont Secretarial College
3 Lucy’s home – lived with her mother and Uncle Bert


Theme
·         Compassion and perseverance are very important at home and at the workplace.
·         The easy solution is not always the best; look for a workable compromise always.
·         It is important for people to have a job and be independent for their self-respect.
·         Loyalty has a place in this world.

Moral values/Lessons
 One should not be prejudiced towards others.
 Example 1:The Spirit of Miss Broome, for example was looked down by others before Lucy. She may be a spirit but she was a lonely spirit .By understanding her loneliness, Lucy succeeded to tell her to serve Mr Bannister who had also passed away and needed her.
 Example 2: Lucy was also a victim of prejudice. Being young, small and shy, her principal and even Harry Darke thought that she was a coward. Yet she proved to herself and others that she was a brave person who would not submit to the wish of a lonely spirit.



some improvement & courtesy from: http://spmenglish.blogspot.com/2010/06/qwertyuiop-by-vivien-alcock.html

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

An Informal Letter :A letter to pen-pal



Instruction:

Fill in the blanks with suitable words listed below.



Decided |  special  |   enjoyed  |   banned  |   abstain  |   healed  |  played  |   wonderful  |   lovely  |  who  |   fun  |   because  |  thick  |   chat  |   best  |   dawn  |   indoor  |   joyous



 23 Jalan Damai ,

 Taman Damai,

 86200 Simpang Rengam,

 Johor,

 Malaysia.

 2 August 2009.



Dear Nina,

How are you? I was very happy when I received your letter this morning. I had so much 1) ______ reading about how you celebrate Christmas in Moscow. In Malaysia, I celebrate “Hari Raya” which falls on the first of Syawal, the tenth month of the Muslim Calendar.


Hari Raya is celebrated after fasting for a month in Ramadhan, which is the ninth month of the Muslim Calendar. During Ramadhan, as a Muslim, I have to 2) myself from eating, drinking and from committing any ill-doings from 3) __________ until sunset. It is hoped after Ramadhan, the Muslims will continue to do good and avoid any wrong-doings. So, the Hari Raya marks the Muslims’ success in fasting for a whole month.


Of course, Hari Raya is a 4) ___________ occasion for Muslims from all walks of life. On this 5) ______________ day, everyone puts on their 6)___________ clothes and go to the mosque to perform obligatory Hari Raya prayer. Usually each family brings a plate of traditional cakes and cookies to be shared together after the prayer. Before we leave the mosque, we ask for forgiveness from each other. Then, we go home to have a 7) ___________ meal with our family. We often have “ketupat”, which is actually rice cooked in a case made of woven coconut leave. This ketupat is eaten with “rendang”, meat cooked in 8)____________ spicy gravy and peanut sauce. We can only savour these dishes on Hari Raya.


Every year we never miss to visit our grandparents 9) _____________ are staying in a village located about 40 kilometres away from our house. My cousins often arrive at my grandparents’ house a day earlier 10) _________they live far away in Kuala Lumpur. Can you guess what usually happen when cousins get together? Well, we will have a long 11) _____________ about everything under the sky. When we were younger, we used to play fireworks. However since playing fireworks have been 12) _____________ in our country, we choose to stay13) _____________ watching special Hari Raya programmes on television.


Last year, since all my cousins were able to be present at our grandparents’ place, we 14)_____________to have a football match competing against the local team. As expected, we lost the game as most of us had not 15) ___________ football for quite some times. Yet, we had 16) ___________ ourselves tremendously.

Hari Raya is a day where everybody has a chance to meet. It is a day to tie the bond. Most importantly, it is a day where old wounds are 17) _______________ and love to grow between family members, between friends and neighbours.


Ramadhan is coming soon. I am looking forward to it because it is a month full of God’s blessings. I hope you have enjoyed reading about Hari Raya. It would be 18) _______________ to have you here to celebrate the day. Bye.


Your pen-pal,

 Jamil


Source from: http://spmenglish.blogspot.com/2009/08/informal-letter-letter-to-pen-pal.html